We believe that diapers matter.

Diaper Need

Few people realize that unlike other essentials such as food or health insurance, there is no federal assistance for purchasing diapers. Food stamps and WIC (Women, Infants and Children – supplemental nutrition program) do not cover diapers. As a result, parents must re-use dirty diapers, or use paper towels and plastic bags when they can’t afford to purchase diapers. Many low-income parents stretch the time between diaper changes which puts children at risk for painful rashes and infections. It’s not surprising to learn studies show that mothers who are unable to afford diapers for their babies are more likely to suffer from maternal depression and mental health issues.

Compounding the problems of struggling parents is the fact that most child-care centers require a one-day supply of disposable diapers. Low-income parents who can’t afford to leave disposable diapers at day-care centers are then unable to access child-care, which impedes their ability to work or attend school on a consistent basis.

In Seattle and King County…

A 2017 survey of King County families with children aged 6 months through 5th grade asked: “whether or not families have struggled to afford basic needs since the child was born.” In 2017, 23% of children in King County lived in families that found it difficult to afford diapers since the child was born. This survey also informed us of the ways certain families are disproportionately impacted by diaper need:

Families are impacted by where they live: Families living in south King County, for example, are 13% more likely to experience diaper need than average.

Families are impacted by race: Compared to White families, families who identified as Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander were 42% more likely to experience diaper need. Latino families were 18% more likely to experience diaper need than White families.

Families are impacted by language spoken at home: Families who spoke primarily Somali and families who spoke primarily Spanish were 56% and 15% more likely to struggle with diaper need compared to King County average, respectively.

At the
national level…

Low-income families pay up to 14% of their entire income just for disposable diapers.

WestSide Baby estimates a healthy supply of diapers for a newborn costs approximately $75-$100 per month – much too costly for many families making the minimum wage.

The Federal government reports that nearly 1 in 3 American families struggle with affording enough disposable diapers for their babies.

Sales Tax on Diapers

For families already living on a limited income, a total of 10.1% in taxes on a necessary and costly item such as a diaper has huge negative impacts on financial decisions. At WestSide Baby, we have heard stories of mothers choosing to keep their baby in a wet diaper all night to prolong its use, or to use t-shirts, towels and other household items to make up for being out of diapers. Additionally, the privilege of buying cheaper diapers in bulk, at a big box store or online is not available to all families when costly memberships or public transportation are a barrier. Families living in poverty may pay double what higher-income families pay because of this diaper price disparity.

If Seattle were to exempt diapers from the city sales tax, families with newborns would be able to purchase 13 additional diapers a month with the $3 saved on sales tax per month.

If Washington State also exempted diapers from sales tax, families would be able to purchase 36 additional diapers per month.

You can help end #DIAPERNEED

WestSide Baby collects diapers through community members like you via diaper drives, corporate gifts, and purchases of bulk diapers. Partnerships with Huggies and the National Diaper Bank Network have resulted in large-scale diaper donations. We provide 45 diapers per month per child, free of charge, to as many clients as possible who need them. Our volunteers bundle the diapers and prepare them for distribution.

Diaper Need Awareness Week

National Diaper Need Awareness Week draws attention to the issue of diaper need in the U.S. An initiative of the National Diaper Bank Network launched in 2012, the week provides individuals, organizations, communities, and elected officials the opportunity to engage in real talk and simple actions.

One in three U.S. families struggles to provide enough diapers to keep a baby or toddler clean, dry, and healthy.

We invite you to get involved. Be a part of the growing movement of diaper bank leaders, advocates, and individuals across the U.S.